Alishia Stevenson (EMBA ‘26) from the University of Pittsburgh School of Business is among Poets&Quants’ 2026 Best and Brightest Executive MBAs across the globe. The list celebrates students from the Class of 2026 who embody the excellence and voices of their schools. These students are considered to “personify excellence – be it academic performance, extracurricular involvement, or professional achievement.”
The Importance of Being Present
Earning her EMBA while holding a leadership role and volunteering in the community taught Stevenson a deep understanding of discipline, sacrifice and intentional prioritization. She remembers many days that didn’t have a clear finish line.
“I would move from leading a full day in healthcare to sitting in the stands at my children’s athletic events. When the final whistle blew, I would begin the drive to Pittsburgh, often arriving at midnight or later before a full weekend of classes,” says Stevenson. “It wasn’t just about juggling my responsibilities; it was about being present where it mattered most. I wanted my children to see me sitting in the stands cheering for them as they got the kill, made the basket, or scored their first touchdown despite needing to be fully prepared and engaged in the classroom just hours later.”
Planning For the Future
Stevenson wishes she would have pursued an Executive MBA program sooner and encourages those contemplating this degree to do so, saying, “while the demands of the program are real, so is the return. The knowledge, growth, and connections you will make are unmatched.”
However, enrolling now was perfect timing since she was selected as her CEO’s successor upon his retirement. “I want to continue our organization’s mission through thoughtful and strategic leadership while enjoying sustainability for years to come,” says Stevenson.
Program Benefits
Stevenson chose this program for the format— online coursework and one Friday and Saturday per month of on-campus classes—and the collaborative cohort. She was able to quickly implement what she learned in class in her job.
“The AI for business leaders class provided us with the opportunity to explore AI capabilities and the impact on our organizations. Through this exploration process and use of AI models, it allowed me to develop a predictive tool to be used in our organization to determine asset requirements for perspective residents.”
To learn more about Stevenson, read the entire profile.